Carbon sheet supporting device



Aug 7, i951 w. A. ANDERSON CARBON SHEET SUPPORTING DEVICE Original FiledJune 2'?,l 1946 2 sheets-shea 1 Aug. 7, 1951 w. A. ANDERSON CARBON SHEETSUPPORTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Shee 2 Original Filed June 27, 1946 4. Maz;

TT/P/Vfy Patented ug. 7, i951 Y 2,563,149 K -cAEeoN SHEET SUPPORTINGDEvrcE Walter A. Anderson, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to UnderwoodCorporation,` New York, N. Y., a

corporation of Delaware original application June 27, 194,6, serial No,

679,722, now Patent No. 2,536,524, dated January 2, 1951. Divided andthis application June 16, 1948, Serial No. 33,305

8 Claims.

' This invention is a division of application No. 679,722, filed June27, 1946, now Patent No. 2,536,524, dated January 2, 1951, andrelatestocarbon-sheet anchorage provision in business machines, particularly alsoto such provision in to one line.

thereof.

bon.

association with facilities for front-feeding Workis. readily andconveniently applicable and resheets into printing vposition in iront ofa platen. movable from the machine. Preparation of certain businesspapers or rec- In addition to the above Specifically notedk obords.calls in many instances for front-insertion jects, there are otherobjects r,whiclfi'in part are of a" work-sheet in a position behind aforelo obvious and in part are'vpointed out asthedemost, front-insertedsheet, for receiving busi- Scription of the preferred embodiment of theness entries, such entries being usually limited invention proceeds. n f

The work-sheet behind the fore- Y Referring now'to'the drawings: most'work-sheet' must receive its imprints i Figure 1 is a fragmentaryright-hand side elethrough a transfer or carbon-sheet in front l5 vationof a Sundstrand Accounting MachineV carnage, embodying the front-feedfacilities dis v'I'o 'reduce the handling of such carbon-sheet closed insaid application No. 679,722, all Dar-ts toa minimum during thepreparation of a sucbeing shown in theirV normal positions, cession ofrecords or bills, it isof advantage to n Figure 2 is a-n enlargedsectional yView of a support or retain it on the machine, if provisionCarbonfsheet anchorage bar, and an associated is also` made which willfacilitate conveniently clip, Y front-feeding of the vnecessarywork-sheets. Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation of the It istherefore an object of the present invencarriage shown in Figure 1,showing also a fragtion to provide for carbon-sheet support in admentaryrepresentation of a ca-rbon-sheet anvantageous cooperative associationwith efficient chorage device, all parts being in their normalfacilities for front-feeding a work-sheet in front relations, y and awork-sheet in back of the supported car- Figure 4 shows in frontalaspect a portion of the carbon-sheet anchorage bar seen in Figure 2, Itis a further object to provide an etcient Fgure is a right-handfragmentary'sectional carbon-sheet supporting or anchoring device sideelevation, illustrating the front-feed device which vis movable from aretired, carbon-sheet in Closed, sheet-holding position, together withtightening, to a carbon-sheet slackening position, the CalbOIl-SheetSupporting feature 0f the 111- for facilitating substantiallyresistanceless frontvention, feeding of a work-sheet behind thesupported Figure 6 is a front perspective illustration of carbon-sheetand without carbon-smudging, in the carbon-sheet anchorage fixture orattachcombination with an advantageously mounted ment, vand nlally,vfrontffeed table having a path of movement be- Figure 7 is a Viewsimilar to Figure 5, but tween a retired and a'front-feed position whichshowingthe front-feed device and carbon-sheet is different andindependent of saidV device. anchorage device in sheet-receivingposition.

Y 1t is also an object to 'produce an efficient an- 40 Only so much ofsaid front-feedfacilities are chorage` deviceV for the leading end4 of"a carbonshown and described( herein as are thought necsheet, such devicebeing capable of carbon-sheet essary inthe presently featured invention.I -lowslackening movement automatically in coordiever, reference may behad to said prior applination with the conditioning movement offrontcation, if such 'is necessary rfor an understanding feedingfacilities for a work-sheet tobe frontof the invention. y 1 fed in frontof the anchored carbon. Referring now particularly to Figures land 3,

In association with the foregoing objects, it is the machine Lcomprisesa paper-supporting cara further object to provide for movement of `ariage 2, comprising two spaced Lside-,walls lll carbon-sheet anchoragedevice from a normal to n between which a platen 'l is turnably accommoadisplacedposition, not only for the purposeof 5o dated forpaper-.feeding control, in a convenslackening the carbon-sheet, but alsoto make. tional manner. The side-walls .lll of the carpossible a morefavorable angle for front-feedriage are rigid-ly interconnected jbymeans in-k ing a work-sheet therebehind, wherefore a workeluding railbars H3, li ill, between which there sheety ,Se iront-fed requires alsonless flexing f isetrack Structure 11.6 constituting, partei mainframe-work of the machine and cooperataround the platen.

Another object -isfto provide an 'efficint anchorage device for theleading end of a carbon-V sheet. ,A still further object is to provide acarbonsheet anchorage device of simple structure which ingv through themedium of anti-friction elements H6 with the rail bars H3, ||4 toprovide guidance for the carriage. The parts ||3,- H4 and ||6 are alldisposed to accommodate lowslung guiding means for eilcientfront-feeding of work-sheets, as will become evident later. Bothend-plates of the carriage have flanged side covers indicated at |Ha inFigure 1.

Usually accounting machines are required to,

hold a minimum of one journal or record sheet,.

and a minimum of one ledger or statement sheet. In Figure 3 a recordsheet is designated by .the reference character R, and a statement sheetby the reference character S. The record sheet R, see Figure 3, isrear-fed and receives a carbon record of entries made upon successivelyfront-` fed statement sheets, therebeing a carbon-sheet, not shown,inserted therewith. The statement sheet S is front-fed because itrequires very frequent handling, whereas the record sheets do not;

Record sheet holding and feeding devices Feed-rolls |34 bear normallyresiliently upon the rear-side of the platen 1, below the level of aplaten shaft H2, and other feed-rolls |35 bear normally upon thetop-side of the platen, all to hold a record sheet R in typing positionon the platen. Above the feed-rolls |34, extending between the carriageends and inclined rearwardly, there is a sheet-supporting table |36rigidly fastenedto the carriage ends |||.v The record sheet R is feddownwardly in front of said table |36, and rolled between saidfeed-rolls |34 and the platen, forwardly and upwardly, by turning theplaten 1.

The top feed-rolls |35 are parts of feed-roll units |40 that areadjustably movable alongY a bar |4| which is pivotally supported in thecarriage ends to allow the rolls to be castvoff, by means not shown. Anapron |54 attached to-the bar V|4| covers the several feed-rolls |35 andtheir supporting units. It serves to guide and lreep front-fedwork-sheets from contacting the feed-rolls |35 and their supportingstructures.

The bottom feed-rolls |34, of which there are a series alongside of eachother, are supported on levers |56 pivoted upon a common pivot rod |51that iscarried by a web |58 on the carriage. A cam shaft |6| is providedfor cooperation with the levers |56 to cast the feed-rolls |34 a smalldistance from the platen. The means for turning the shaft is not shown.The feed-roll supporting-levers |56 have tapered tongues |63 reachingforwardly from the feed-rolls |34 in slightly spaced relationship to theplaten, such tongues being instrumental to guide rear-fed sheets, suchas the record sheets R, in a curved path around the underside of theplaten.

Front-feed table and throat Figures 3 and 5 show a statement sheet S inposition for receiving imprints from types I0. Paper-holding means inthe form of feed-rolls |68 bear against the front-bottom side of theplaten 1 to hold said statement sheet and also to assist in holding andfeeding other sheets on the platen. Above the typing line, which isdirectly at the front side of the platen, a frontfeed guide or table|10, preferably of transparent material, bears rearwardly against thestatement sheet S. With the front-feed table |10 in the positiondescribed, the type-bars |0 can rise freely for making the appropriatetyping impressions. Usually after a single line-entry the statementsheet S is removed and another is Y k4v presented, the record sheet Rremaining in the machine and being line-spaced in a usual manner by aturning movement of the platen.

As illustrated in Figure '1, in order to facilitate removal of onestatement sheet S, and the introduction of another initsvplace, thepaperholding means or feed-rolls |68 are cast olf the platen 1 toprovide a wide-open front-feed throat, and the front-feed table |10 isdisplaced to a forwardly tilted position.

The transparent front-feed table |10 may .be co-extensivein length withthe platen, and is secured along its upper margin to a stiff bar |1|.

.The bar |1| is carried at the opposite ends of the carriage by plates|13 which are pivoted to the adjacent side-walls of the carriage bymeans of pivot studs 14 which are located on an axis that lies parallel,to the rear and below the platen axis. Said pivot studs |14 render thefront-feed table movable between a normal, retired position in back ofthe types I0, see Figures 1, 3 and 5, to a front-feed position seen inFigure '7.

Said feed-rolls |68 extend in a row along the platen and each isrotatively supported by two spaced arms |15 carried swingably upon asupporting shaft |16. Brackets |18 afford bearing supports for the shaft|16 and springs |11 associated with the arms |15 urge the latter, andthus the feed-rolls |68, constantly towards the platen. The feed-rolls|66 are released by a. rocking motion given the shaft |16 whenever thecarriagek is conditioned for front-feeding, in a manner to be statedlater.

The sheet S which is front-fed down between the platen and thefeed-rolls 68, see Figure '1, take a wide sweep rearwardly below thetapered tongues |63 extending forwardly from the rear feed-rolls |34.Such wide sweep is given the sheets` by guiding elements |85, seeFigures 5 and 7, situated between the feed-rolls |68, and below whichthe latter withdraw when released. The said Vguiding elements areaugmented in their function by a paper shelf |06, which has a slightupward tilt to the rear. Spaced deilector elements |92, embodying narrowsheet-denecting shelves |92a at circumferentially reduced intermediateparts of the individual feed-rolls |68, are nested closely to the platenwhen said feed-rolls |68 are in applied position, but move anappreciable distance from the platen when the feed-rolls are cast off,that is when the carriage is conditioned for front-feeding worksheets asseen in Figure 1. During the release of said feed-rolls |68 thedeilector elements |92 will all be moved downwardly by the engagement ofthe lower part of the reduced feed-roll sections therewith, but downwardmovement commences only after the feed-rolls have withdrawn below thedeflector shelves |926.

Thus it will be seen that a work-sheet S is introduceable with ease intothe open front-feed throat. See Figure 7.

Manual front-feed conditioning The front-feed table |10 and thefeed-rolls |68, see Figure 1, are movable to front-feed position by anoperating handle |95, carried on a composite slide structure generallydesignated by the numeral |66, and consisting of a flat stampedout slide|91 having a stitfening angle member |98 riveted to the former asindicated at 200. The composite slide |96 is carried upon the rightside-wall of the carriage, slightly spaced therefrom, |by means ofheaded screw-studs 20| aises,4 121e extending. through, slots 202 in,the slide |91- Adocmmodated between the slide |91 and the'arriagesidewall' III is a link member 203 which at its forward end hasa pivotal connection with aF stud 205,` projecting from the rightend-plate |13 of the front-feed table I,10,said stud 2nll5reach-v ing4through aclearance aperture in the rightcar'- ria'ge'end =I I I; and inconjunction with said aperture Aaffording limits fort'opposite movementof the front-feed table. The linkl 203, near its rear, has guidanceparallel to the slide |99. In the rearward position of the front-feedtable, see Figure'll'an operating pin 209 projecting from the slide |91is directly ybehind the rear end of 'the link 203. Therefore, when theVoperating handleVv |95 'is imparted a forward movement,k said link 203will be displaced forwardly to swingthe front# feed table I 10 tothefront-feedv position seen in Figure' '1.

'In order to release thefeed-rolls |68 from the platen at the Sametimethat the front-feed table |10 i's displaced forwardly, the aforesaidvfeed-roll releasing shaft |16 has aflxed thereto, see Figure l, anupright arm 2|| having a forked' end embracing a projecting pin 2|3 onthe slide |91. The composite slidel |93 is normally resilientlyretainedin its rearward position by means of a springI 2 I4 anchored tothe adjacent carriage wall In turn the link 293, and therefore also theconnected front-feed table I 10 are resiliently a key.22 pivotedas at223 on thecarriage, and

having a rearwardly extending arm` 224- underlying a lateral ta-bl225 onthe latch arm 2I6.

Themac-hine embodies also means to open and close thev front-feedmechanism under carriage.

control, but the means for this is not shown. C'arlwltiolyJ andanchorage fixture therefor Ithas been said that some billing ,oraccountingwork calls for front insertion of a work-sheet behind theforemost sheet, namely behind vtheY statement ysheet S. Such awork-sheetis given the designation- S' in` Figures 5 and7. Impres sionson this sheet-Sy. for a minimum of handling, are preferably made throughthe wmedium of acontinuous transfer or vcarbon-ply 319,.as supplied!from a roll 318 locatedat the rear of the platenthel ply extending fromthe roll to the front of'said sheetS.- Accordingly, see Figure 3, there`are mounted adjustably along a rod 315 on the carriage opposite carbonroll supporting `bracketsl 318 having pintles 311'reaching toward eachAother for supporting a carbon roll 318.

From sai-d roll` the 'carbon paper or ply 319 is passed.` :forwardlyfand downwardly'from the roll, underneath the bottom feed-rolls I 34',and upwardly behind the front-feed table over the topfeed-rolls |35'foranchorage ofa leading end' of the carbon-p lyon an anchorage device orfixture. generally designated by the numeralV 39|. The fixture 39|consists ofv a removable unit,A showniin Figure 6, comprising two widelyspaced end-plates 392 connected by`a bar 393 having:y ends 394-vrectangularly Vbent therefromvand rigid- -r lyfunited: with.- th'eendl plates 392 -byvscrewss395s and 33,67. A plate 391 is secured to theback of the bar 393, as. by rivets, not shown, and rises thereabove, ashort distance to afford a clamping surface for engagement by acarbon-ply clamping rod 398 that'isT substantially co-extensive. withthebar 393.4 This rod 398 is supported at each of itsopposite: ends. on-a member 400, each ofwhich, as at 39,9., ispivotally carried on theadjacent endplateV 392, the rod andthe members forming a unitary,pivoted bail structure, and a contractile springxlll associatedwith eachopposite member 400f beingv adapted; tourged the rod 398 into clamping,association in a corner formedby the top surfaceof thebar 3,93' and thefront of the platef391gr the leading end of, the carbon-fply havingpreviously been positioned between the rod 398 and the plate391.

flncertainfbusiness 'applications it is impractical' andsometimesunnecessary to use thecarf bon-ho `v`ingl xtures. For that reason suchvfix-v ture is constructedas a removable unit. SeeFigg-V uref?, Moreovenfor reasons to be pointedout.it isdeslirablethatthe fixture 39| swingforwardly kinviglfal with thefforward displacement ofthe;

frontfeedjtablel, but in arp-ath and to a degreev different from thatofthe latter. Accordingly the end-platesf392 are formedA with open.saddles03ftot ovenpivot -pins 384. projecting inwardly from theoppositeside-wallsl -of thecarriage. Additionally said end-plates 392vare each'formed with an, open slot @05 for operative association withpins 460E 'extending inwardly from'n thelopposite plates |13 whichsupport the front,` feed table |18. The slots. 305 are at the bottom;open-'mouthed as at 40511, so-that the fixture can bedropped readilyinto1p'osition on the carriage theV plate portions forming thesaddles-403 at the opposite, ends: of 'the carriage. beingA` directeddownwardlyjust in front of the usual mountingj collars A01 of theplaten. See; Figures 5 andi?.-

Detentlevers 1308,'Y shaped at the bottom to reach atleast .partiallyunderneath the pivot pins 2011;V and urged by the springs @0I to soreach underneathservetohold the entire fixture 39| remo l y assembledonthe.. carriage.V The endlplates. `flgyjancithe Ydatent levers'Ilfhavetapered entrance faces facilitating placement of the fixtureupon the pivot. pins,fthe detent levers 308 duringxsuchfplacement. beingmomentarily yielding. Theixture .canbe-.removed readily andconvenientlylby-exerting upward pressure thereon y therebyforcingsaiddetent levers 998; from under thepivots 853. Pivotal support for v thedet nt levers fililfisdV afforded bythescrews 39d.

which for this purpose are` shouldered- The A saddlesjgllili with the'associated detent levers $08;y andnin Yconjunction with the: pivot pins933i',- lconf stitutefrefsilient claspin means for readily-and..

side of.'v theplaten.;Y When vthe front-feed device.

vedgto openipositionas seenin Figure 7, the

carbon .anencrageV fixture'SQI, through the pins` fahdjis ,alsoVmovedforwardly, .and slightly slackens thelcarbonl-Kply 39, to bulgefrom the platen.

thereby to relieve pressure from the underlying work-sheetS", andjto'prevent smudging ofsuch,

sheets when they are removedinserted, or read- J'llStedr.` Thecarbonfply'is slackened by reason ofthe, Pertieeler'eeihihrush ,Whishthexiu're swings f* during the" opening movement "of the front-feeddevice.Such slackenlng is very littlel but yet effective. Obviously, similar tothe table |10, the plate 391 constitutes a front-feed table; It will benoted that the pivotal axis for the table |10, as afforded by the pins|14, is chosen to give the table a movement downwardly and forwardlyfrom retired to front-feed. position. This brings the table to anadvantageous, 1ow` front-feed position. During front-feed table 're'-tiring, the lower edge of the-table moves upwardly and rearwardly tosmoothen the inserted sheet S tightly against the platen. On the otherhand, the pivotal axis for the carbon-sheet anchorage device 39| is solocated that the anchorage bar 393 has an appropriate carbon-sheetslackening action as the machine is conditioned for front-feed.

It is to be understood that the slackening of the carbon-ply 319provides clearance for front insertion of the sheet S', and, obviouslythe for ward tilting of the carbon anchorage fixture gives also a morefavorable angle of introduction Yfor the sheet S', while it also reducesthe necessary bend which the sheet must receive during insertion. Thetop edge of the plate 391 may serve as a gaging edge for the top edge ofthe sheet, but bottom edge gaging means, not shown, may be employed ifthis is found desirable.

The spring 40|, which serves the dual purpose of pressing the rod 398into clamping contact upon the carbon-ply 319 and urging the lever 408into fixture-holding position, exerts its force below the pivot stud 399when the rod 398 is in carbon-holding position. The clamping rod 398 canbe thrown off the plate 391 as indicated in dot-and-dash lines in Figure'1, by pushing linger tabs or flanges 4| 0 of the members 400rearwardly. In so doing a pin 4|| on each member 400 rides over a humpon the upper end of the adjacent lever 408, and is nally caught in adetent notch 4|3 under the tension of the spring 40|. To apply the rod,forward pressure is applied to the tabs 4|0, forcing the pin 4|| out ofdetent notch 4|3 and over the said hump.

The clamp comprising the rod 398 and the plate 391 is released atintervals to draw the carbonply ashort distance upwardly and thereby tosecure an unused transfer eld for use, the extending portion ofcarbon-ply being torn olfA generally designated by the numeral 4 4, seeespecially Figures 2, 4 and 6, are applicable to the fixture 39|. Theclips are for-med of flexible sheet material and comprise a main bodyportionor web 4|5, from which there are bent to double over the web, amain spring prong 4|6 and two anking spring prongs 4|1. The clips areapplied to the fixture downwardly over the rod 398 and the plate 391,the lower end of the prong 4|6 nally bearing resiliently against abeveled bottom edge of the bar 393, and the lower ends ofthe prongs 4|1being forwardly bent to exert rearward and downward pressure on the rod398. So many of the clips 4|4 are attached as may be required tofirmlyanchor the carbon web 319.

The front-fed sheet S is positionable in correct lateral relation toother work-sheets by a left and/or right side edge gage 42|, secured tothe square bar. |1|. For locating the work-sheet S', which is front-feddown behind thel carbon anchorage device 39|,Yone or two of the clips v4|4A may be lprovided with side edge guides 4|8 which are bent rearwardlyfrom the main web 4 5 of the clip 4|4.

The invention has been described with reference to the details shown inthe drawings, but it is to be understood that variations in theconstruction and method of operation may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a business machine, the combination with a lplaten and a platensupporting framework, of a carbon-sheet anchorage attachment, claspingmeans oppositely on said attachment and said framework to hold saidattachment removably on said framework, as well as swingably about anaxis Ywhich extends parallel to the platen, :means including a bar onsaid attachment to secure a carbon-sheet to the attachment along a lineextending substantially parallel to said axis. and means to restrict thesaid attachment for swinging between one or another position.

2. In a business machine, the combination with a platen and a platensupporting framework, of a front-feed device comprising a front-feedtable, means to mount said front-feed device for foreand-aftdisplacement of said front-feed table, a. carbon-sheet anchorageattachment, clasping means to hold said attachment removably on saidframework, asl well as swingably fore-and-aft about an axis whichextends parallel to the platen, means for anchoring a carbon-sheet tosaid attachment along a line extending substantially parallel to saidaxis, and means on said attachment and said front-feed device forautomatically establishing an articulate connection therebetween as theattachment is placed in clasped position on'said framework, whereby thena displacement of said front-feed device fore-and-aft results in afore-and-aft swinging displacement of said attachment.

3. In a business machine having a platen, typing means adapted to typeupon the front of the platen, a front-feed table mounted for movementfrom a rearward, retired position, in a path downwardly and forwardly toa position facilitating front-feeding ofa work-sheet, carbon-sheetanchorage means behind the front-feed table and mounted for displacementfrom a normal typing position to a front-feed position, forwardly andupwardly in a path different from said frontfeed table, to loosenslightly a carbon-sheet anchored to said anchorage means and hugging theplaten around the front and bottom, and means tomove said front-feedtable and said anchorage` means to' their respective front-feedpositions c oncomitantly in their said respective paths.,

4. In abusiness machine having a rotatable' platen, typing means adaptedto type upon the fronti-side of the platen along a typing line,paperholding means normally bearing againstgthe platen below and to therear of the^ typing line.,

chorage means for movement between a typing and a front-feed position,pivotally about an` axis parallel to the platen and lying in theneighborhood of the typing line, and means to move said front-feed tablefrom said out-of-Way position to said front-feed position andconcomitantly to move said anchorage means from said typing position tosaid front-feedv position.

5. In a business machine having a platen; supporting means for theplaten at theends thereof, a front-feed table, means including movableside members to mount said table on said platen supporting means forforward movement from a writing to a front-feed position, a carbon-sheetanchorage device comprising an elongate bar and end brackets rigidtherewith, and means for readily and removably applying said anchoragedevice to said platen supporting means, and in a condition of operativeassociation with said side members, said applying means comprising,pivot pins and open pivot seats oppositely on said end brackets and saidplaten supporting means, and a pin and a slot oppositely on at least oneof said end brackets and one of said side members for providing anoperative connection between said table and said anchorage device.

6. In a business machine having an elongate platen, a carbon anchoragedevice comprising, an elongate bar, a long, frail clamping rod mountedfor swinging movement towards and away from said barV respectively toengage and release a carbon sheet, and a plurality of spring clipsremovably applied to said bar and rod at different locations therealong,to press the bar and rod resiliently together at the said locations forfirm gripping of the carbon sheet.

7. In a business machine having a platen, means adapted to effectimprints along the front of said platen, a iront-feed table mounted for10 movement from a rearward, retired position in a path forwardly anddownwardly to a position facilitating convenient front-feeding of aworksheet, another front-feed table behind said rst one, means to anchorto this other table a carbonsheet supplied around the bottom of theplaten, means to support said other table for movement from a retiredposition forwardly to a front-feed position, in a path independent fromthe first said table, and single means for moving both said tables fromtheir retired to their front-feed positions.

8. In a, business machine, an openable and closeable front-feed throat,two front-feed tables, one to therear of the other, and both normally inretired rearward positions, means to anchor to the rear table acarbon-sheet supplied through said front-feed throat upwardly from therear, means to support said tables for movement in diiTerent pathsforwardly from their retired positions to positions for front-feedingwork-sheets into said throat, and means for opening said front-feedthroat and moving both said tables to their front-feed positions in asingle operation.

WALTER A. ANDERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,801,495 Fleming Apr. 21, 19312,236,589 Anderson Apr. 1, 1941 2,349,693 Anderson May 23, 19442,363,989 Pittman Nov. 28, 1944 2,421,462 Muller June 3, 194'7

